The Origin of Temptation

Chapter 4: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46

April 3rd, 33AD: It had been many hours since Jesus' disciples departed from the Last Supper. While most were in bed and sound asleep, Judas paced back and forth behind his home, the words Jesus had said at the Last Supper played over and over in his mind.

"The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

Those words quaked with thunder in his mind as he shook violently with anxiety and fear. Though he had not done anything yet, he fought the temptation, the greed, the thirty pieces of silver. As he racked his brain over the possibility that Jesus may have known of his sinful thoughts, he was oblivious to the origin of sin that stalked him from a distance.

Lucifer stood behind the corner of a home not too far from Judas' and watched him pace and mutter to himself. Lucifer eyed him intently, as he had done every night for the past month, and whispered,

"Maybe the priests are right, maybe Jesus is just a blasphemous liar? He has committed such a serious crime against the Jewish Law. It would be an honor to turn in such a despicable man, especially for such a hefty reward. All that silver, the fame, the glory..."

Judas stopped in his tracks and his eyes darkened as though he were in a trance-like state. He swayed from side to side, his breath heavy and shaky. Once Lucifer's words seeped into him like water to a sponge, Judas nodded his head, regained focus, and quickly made his way to the Temple.

*

All the pieces fell into place, and all the anticipated events unfolded. Lucifer watched from afar in snide epicaricacy as Judas led a group of templemen to the Garden of Gethsemane, kissed Jesus on the cheek, and accepted his payment as the Son of God was arrested.

Jesus was led away to the Sanhedrin, flogged and tortured by Pontius Pilate of the Roman authority, and crucified next to two convicted thieves. Lucifer knew to keep his distance as he and many others watched Jesus suffer on the wooden cross, baked in the sun, and writhed in agony from the giant nails that had been driven into his feet and wrists. As Jesus looked up to the sky and uttered words to God, his voice rang out to all the angels in Heaven and on Earth.

"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

His shaky voice, the pain, and the sadness were felt by every angel, and all but one felt immense sorrow for him. Lucifer only watched from afar and felt no pride or shame for the consequences of his interference. As he observed the many people who had gathered to see the three men crucified, he was surprised to see Lilith. She, too, had kept her distance, watched from afar, and wept silently as Jesus looked once more to the Heavens and cried out:

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

Lucifer's influence over Judas faded, and he became fully aware of the betrayal he had committed as guilt, shame, and compunction flooded his mind like water from a broken dam. His heart filled with remorse as he watched the man he had devoted himself to hang upon the cross. Judas ran to the priests of Sanhedrin and begged for them to take back the silver, but they refused. The thirty silver coins were now blood money, and the temple would not risk the possibility of being tainted. Out of guilt for having betrayed the Son of God, Judas threw the silver to the ground and ran from Jerusalem. He sobbed and pleaded with God as he ran through the desert until his feet ached. When he came to a stop, he gazed upon a large tree. The tree stood alone and strong. It was when Judas carefully examined the tree that he found a thick, sturdy rope. He saw the tree and rope as a sign from God, a way to repent for what he had done, and claimed to understand what he believed was being asked of him. He threw the rope over a large branch, tied off one end, and made a noose with the other. He then climbed up, placed the noose around his neck, and hung himself in the hopes his death would make up for his actions.